In case you haven’t noticed, every back listed here is entering his second season.
Of the group, Bhayshul Tuten had the most modest rookie season. Playing a reserve role behind Travis Etienne Jr. in Jacksonville, he logged 83 carries for 307 yards and five touchdowns, averaging just 3.7 yards per attempt.
Tuten expects the experience gained last year to pay dividends in 2026:
“So, the whole entire offseason, chatting with coach, getting some tips and feedback, and then also doing a self-evaluation of myself for what I did right, and what I need to improve on. And ultimately, it begins here. I think last year, I really couldn’t play fast and free like I’m used to, because I’m thinking a lot and attacking a new playbook. But here, I got a year under the playbook, so I can go out there and be myself and be fast, and play how I know I can play.”
Etienne is now in New Orleans, and the only real addition in the backfield was veteran Chris Rodriguez Jr., who has missed most of the offseason after foot surgery.
The door is open for Tuten to take hold of the lead role in Liam Coen’s offense. It’s an offense that ranked just outside the top 10 in yards per game and sixth in points per game, and it’s a role Etienne turned into just under 1,400 total yards in 2025.
For Tuten, that would most assuredly constitute a breakout.